The Catskill Chronicle

MONTICELLO, NY (November 23, 2011) – Community Unity presents their Annual Community Heroes Dinner on December 6 at 5:00 p.m. at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant. The dinner will honor Steve and Suz White and Aileen Gunther for their work in saving the Federation for the Homeless earlier this year. 

Earlier this year the Federation for the Homeless was scheduled for closure, a victim of budget cuts in these increasingly difficult times. This closure would mean those hungry who ate the 40,000 hot meals and the additional 133,000 take home meals served last year at the Federation would have gone hungry. It would mean the homeless and those suffering from housing insecurity, counseled and assisted by the Federation, would go without help, without shelter this year.

Steve and Suz White and Aileen Gunther refused to consider that possibility. They mobilized the community and secured funding for this year and hope for next year. Gunther secured a $75,000 anonymous private donation to fund the Federation for the rest of the year. The Whites hit the ground and shook the trees, revitalizing community support, reinvigorating the Federation board and spreading their enthusiasm and commitment.

Thanks to their combined efforts, the Federation for the Homeless will continue to feed the hungry, help the homeless, and provide a safe place in this cold, uncertain world.

Tickets to the event, featuring Mr. Willy’s superlative buffet, are $30 each or two for $50 with continuous seating from 5:00 pm through 8:30 pm. Ticket prices are 100 % tax deductible.

For reservations, call RISE at 845-794-3300, ext. 2442.

Community Unity is a coalition of four established organizations in Sullivan County: RISE, The Federation for the Homeless, the Recovery Center and the Dream Tank.